Timmay throwing himself under the bus?

by MbahABako on Jan 24, 2008 7:36 AM PST Comment 26 comments

Check the latest from the LA Times regarding the JuiceDuice ticket fiasco:

USC Coach Tim Floyd said Wednesday that he told star freshman O.J. Mayo that he could accept free Lakers tickets and that if anybody should be punished for potential NCAA violations, it should be the coach.

"My feeling is that if there's a mistake made, it was made by me," Floyd said. "If they want to suspend me for a game, suspend me for a game, but not the kid. He did the right thing."

Isn't that just insanity over in Southern Cal world? This appears to be a clear case of Timmay realizing that his star may get the hammer dropped on him by the NCAA and trying to take the blame instead. Even if we assume that the above is truth (a tough assumption, given the circumstances), what does that say about institutional control and compliance with NCAA regulations over in the hood?

Floyd said he thought it was acceptable for Mayo to receive complimentary tickets from Denver Nuggets All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony, whom Mayo has known since the seventh grade, because the players were friends. Mayo attended the Lakers' 116-99 victory over the Nuggets on Monday at Staples Center.

One thing that goes unanswered -- how did Floyd even know that JuiceDuice had the tickets? If I remember the previous story, Mayo got the tickets from Carmelo while at a party the night before the game. Does Floyd want us to believe that Mayo came and asked him if it was OK before going to the game? Really?

Asked if he was concerned that his actions could constitute an NCAA violation, Mayo said, "I'm not worried, man. I'm worried about Oregon State." The Trojans play the Beavers tonight in Corvallis, Ore.

Of course. Why should he be worried? He goes to the one "institution of higher learning" that gets a free pass from the NCAA

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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I'm not worried man I'm worried about Oregon State

Why should he be? Reggie bush isn't worried about it either, and its worked out alright thus far for him.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Jan 24, 2008 8:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

C'mon guys

the kid took tickets from someone who had nothing to do with SC. I mean, I hate SC as much as the next Bruin, and I think it is a travesty that the NCAA has not come down on them yet for the Bush/Jarret/Price (remember the limo?)/any number of other material violations infractions yet. But it is hard to get excited about this one . . .

by Koach Karl I on Jan 24, 2008 8:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Koach Karl I..

I agree. It's about as bad as a kid finding groceries on his door step and then actually eating them. Oh wait one of our football players got suspended for that. I think its a lame rule but nevertheless it was broken.

by bruinelder on Jan 24, 2008 9:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

A free ticket isn't anything like a bag of groceries left on your porch by an anonymous donor. There's nothing wrong with that.

When I was an undergrad, I got lots of free stuff given to me by various people. Lots of Laker tickets. Cars by the bushel. Nothing wrong with any of that stuff. My folks got a new house, I lived rent free. Sure.

Every student at justsc gets treated like that. No athlete gets any perks that the ordinary student doesn't get.

by Fox 71 on Jan 24, 2008 9:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The NCAA

has different rules for different institutions. As a life long Bruin fan I'm done expecting the NCAA to actually enforce their rules.

by bruinelder on Jan 24, 2008 9:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bigger Fish

Theres a lot more to hate 'SC about that Mayo getting free tickets from an old friend who made it big. Bush/Jarret/Price issues are significant and there is evidence to indicate the university had knowledge.

This, OTOH, does have some ambiguity in that Melo did know Mayo back before he became pro. From my understanding, you can't accept gifts from people that you don't have a personal relationship with prior to becoming a student-athlete. That is hard to define in Mayo's case, and thus it still may be a violation. if it his, I hope he gets hammered.

But in no way is this as infuriating as Bush, which I believe it as the poster's point; Bushgate is blatant disrespect for the game and a slap in the face of anyone who does play by the rules (relatively).

by kidro2001 on Jan 24, 2008 9:41 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What happened with Jarret????

Is he the one that got free rent from Leinart's Dad or was it Steve Smith?

What UCLA player got free groceries and what were the circumstances? I never heard about that. Let's be open minded and impartial here guys, if we are going to chastize Mayo for what he did without excuses, then we should do the same to our own. How realistic is it that somebody JUST left groceries on somebodies doorstep and he ATE them? If it was me, I'd be freaked out. I would worry maybe is was poisoned by some SUC fan or something. I don't even like taking candy on Halloween, much less some groceries some random person left on my doorstep. That excuse is almost as laughable as my dog ate my homework. The kid should have been punished.

BTW, too funny Fox71. I was dying. See Fox, you do have a sense of humor, after all.

by BruinFaithful on Jan 24, 2008 4:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Be Careful

You say you know nothing about the grocery incident and then you give an opinion that the story sounds like "my dog ate the homework".

The player was Donny Edwards one of the most honorable Bruins of all time. Because he worked so hard in practice, he couldn't work elsewhere. And, because he wasn't well off -- he wasn't eating enough. We don't know who left the groceries, but it was obviously a friend, neighbor or acquaintance who knew he was hungry.

There is a difference between the grocery story and the gift of tickets to a professional sports game -- floor level. The sports tickets have a specific NCAA rule. The groceries fell into an area where the NCAA had more discretion. It chose to exercise that discretion by punishing Edwards -- who took the penalty straight up and no whining.

The Edwards incident sparked a call to pay student athletes for their "work" in generating extreme revenue for their universities. This story, more than any other I can recall, reignited the movement. But, it went nowhere because the universities have a very strong vested interest in keeping all of the money to themselves.

Faithful, I know you mean no ill will, but you should do some reading before you go after a brother Bruin. Donny Edwards was one of our best and his star was not tarnished by this incident. You shouldn't tarnish it in a post, here, years later.

sjh

PS. I do agree that the reaction to the Mayo tickets is extreme -- especially since he's known Anthony for years. My first thoughts were not about rules violations. I just look at this as further evidence that he is a one and done, no reason to go to class or study guy. I wonder if he's doing anything on the academic side.

Finally, I feel a bit uncomfortable with Bruins complaining about this ticket stuff AFTER we lost to sc. If we had beaten them, fine. This just looks like sour grapes.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 24, 2008 5:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Relax Brother....I wasn't tarnishing anything

First of all, how could I tarnish or go after anybody, if I didn't even know who it was? My point was simply that a violation is a violation and we should be impartial and not say this is ok but this is not. Obviously, there are varying degrees of violations and the punishment should fit the crime.

Secondly, I met Donnie Edwards. He was an underclassmen when I was an upperclassmen and we hung out with the same people at Campbell Hall and parties and such. I love Donnie Edwards and I certainly have nothing against him. This incident must of happened after I left school. I never heard about it and when hearing about it ,initially, I thought it suspect and I still do. How did anybody even find out about this, especially the NCAA? The whole story just sounds whacky. Maybe you haven't been at UCLA in a while to know what is going on with athletes being fed, but I never saw one single athlete starve when I was there. They had a daily meal allowance and ALL athletes were given a meal card they could use to go to any of the dorms and eat as much as they wanted for free. The meal cards could all be used at an UCLA eating establishment on campus. I personally witnessed this. Donnie Edwards is a large imposing figure who hardly looks like he was starving.

If you wanted to see a starving student, you should have come to my place where we had 5 Bruin Brothers living in a small 2 Bedroom apartment. I slept on the couch for years. We use to marvel at all the good fortune these athletes were given. They were given LOVE wherever they went and lived at the BEST suites on campus. They were treated like stars on campus and they should be. I have no problem with that. However, this business about Donnie Edwards starving? As your generation would say, "Hogwash." I'm not buying it.

I don't understand why, when somebiody makes a comment or has an agreement here, it seems to be a cause to fight? This is ridiculous. We are or most of us are Bruins Alums here. We have differing opinions, just like I do with some of my old College buddies. We are intelligent human beings who are afforded the right to have varying opinions. This should not change who or what we are or what we mean to each other.

by BruinFaithful on Jan 24, 2008 5:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I may be wrong,

but I don't think Melo has to be connected with 'SC for this to be a violation of the NCAA rules. If I read the rules right, a student athelete cannot receive any gifts from any organization, in this case, that would be the Denver Nuggets, unless the item is available to the general student body. It's irrelevant whether Melo is connected with 'SC - the question is whether Melo is deemed to be an agent of the Denver Nuggets and the tickets came from the Nuggets, rather than from Melo as his friend.

From what I've read, it seems Melo and Mayo are friends and the tickets were given from one friend to another. I can't imagine Mayo being sanctioned for this, regardless of how I feel in general about 'SC.

by kdout on Jan 24, 2008 10:15 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

No Big Deal -- Except

Timmeh feels a need to throw himself under the bus and except a suspension.

Why, if he new ahead of time and knew they were personal friends?

If Timmeh had kept his mouth shut, I'd have said, one friend takes another to the game, big deal.

But, Timmeh's statement makes it clear he thinks something was wrong.

Not that any of this matters. We need to beat them on the hardwoods, not with an NCAA complaint about a free ticket to a baskeball game.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 24, 2008 1:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

If Timmeh!! were smart

he would suspend OJ for the OSU game tonight (he won't be needed) have him donate the value of the tickets to charity, and move on.

If he does that, the NCAA will move on with a reprimand.

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Jan 24, 2008 5:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Good Point

I don't even think there will be a reprimand.

Timmeh hasn't handled this very well. So, I don't expect him to do the right thiing.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 24, 2008 5:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

dislike him, wanna fault him, can't do it

It frustrates me that a college player is hanging out near the front row at Staples, but if they've been friends and it's from Melo not the Nuggets, none doin. I do think it was a poor choice on Mayo's part (and Floyd's) to go, however, as free $230 tix SEEM like a violation, even if they are not.

by jjreicher on Jan 24, 2008 6:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

there has to be more here

Why would Timmeh go on such a self-immolation rampage to defend something if it was OK to do in the first place? And no matter what, it still looks like a freebie that the average student at justsc wouldn't get. (Of course, the average student at justsc got sent off to school with a Porsche and an unlimited checking account (paid through daddum's corporate slush fund, but that's not the point.)

by Fox 71 on Jan 24, 2008 8:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting Standards at $C

If a coach says it's OK for a player to commit a violation, apparently it's OK. But if a football coach plays HORSE with a football recruit, he's a weasel.

by LA Seitz on Jan 24, 2008 10:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Just curious

Why did CRN play HORSE with the recruit in the first place? I've heard this many times but they never explained why. The only thing I keep hearing is that the NCAA considered it an improper try out. Did CRN say to the kid, "If you beat me, you get a scholarship" or was CRN just playing with him for fun? Can somebody please clarify?

by BruinFaithful on Jan 25, 2008 1:47 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

RN

was showing the recruit around campus during a visit. They went into the basketball practice area on the way to the weight room and someone left the basketballs out so they started shooting around. Jokingly (according to RN and the recruit), RN said that if he beat the recruit in horse, the kid would commit.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Jan 25, 2008 1:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Illegal Tryout

They charge that was that CRN administered an "illegal tryout". Said another way, that he was testing prowess.

What they did was hoist up some 3's, and the verbal taunt was about committments. I also think that RN said that if the kid won, he could go elsewhere. They were playing in street clothes. A total joke.

But no more of a joke than the charges filed.

I had lunch with a wealthy alum, yesterday. Chilli poblano soup and a seafoood cobb at Trulocks -- oh, I digress.

And, he was an alum of A&M. Jerry is the most sports crazed person I know. He was thrilled for us about the coaching staff we've hired and out of nowhere started discussing the BS charges and the bad deal that RN had gotten. Here's a guy that lives in Montgomery, Texas -- and he knew more about it than some local reporters.

Anyway, it is so great to have RN home and to have football bringing us the presence and pleasure that UCLA deserves.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 25, 2008 4:29 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Funny story 66

Did u graduate in 66 or is your name 66 because of that great Toledo team that put up 66 on Texas and Houston? Are you an attorney 66?

Anyway, so did CRN beat the kid in HORSE or what? HAHAHAHA. Did he commit and who ratted CRN out for this? The recruit? Yeah, sounds pretty ridiculous. I guess you can't even joke around anymore.

by BruinFaithful on Jan 25, 2008 6:05 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm the Original Geezer

Graduated in '66. Like many here, have a law degree from the USC Law Center.

I have a favorite T-shirt that I wear here when I want to piss people off. It says "UCLA -- Texas State Champion" and has the scores of the games in which we beat UT, Houston, and A&M in the Cotton Bowl.

One more thing about the CRN story -- they were playing in street clothing. Yes, a real serious try out.

I read most of the charges and responses. Most were off the wall BS. Some were minor infractions. Nothing major or scandalous.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 25, 2008 6:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Keep these posts coming Mbah!

by Nestor on Jan 25, 2008 4:35 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Mayo to pay face value of tickets to charity

As some people suggested may happen OJ will avoid suspension by donating the $460 that is the face value of the tickets to charity.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/ncaa/01/25/usc.mayo.ap/index.html

by TrueBlueBlood on Jan 25, 2008 11:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Pop Quiz: Where will the $460 come from?

a. His agent who also gave his parents a house.

b. The father of one of his team mates -- who's also paying the rent on the plush apartment they are both living in.

c. The bonus he was paid to sign for a "one and go" year by sc.

d. The full time job he's be paid to do by a booster -- it can be full time because there are no requirements that he attend class at sc, after all, he's not there for an education, he's there to elevate their program.

d. All of the above.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Jan 26, 2008 6:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Timmeh's justification is a joke

He at first takes responsibility, then he goes on the defensive saying it's none of anybody's business where he got the ticket, and ends it with his "Everybody else is doing it" crap... specifically naming UCLA and Jordan Farmar with no evidence whatsoever. Typical of Timmeh to throw out an accusation with no proof to deflect more crticism away from his usual cheating.

by UCLA4Life on Jan 26, 2008 10:05 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Jordan Farmar

Jordan's free Laker game came after we lost to Florida in the finals and just before he announced his decision to pro. So, if Timmeh wants to compare what OJ2 did to what Jordan did, then OJ2 shouldn't play another collegiate game, just like Jordan.

Personally, I don't care that they only game him a slap on the wrist. However, does anyone think Carmelo would have befriended OJ2 way-back-when if OJ2 hadn't been an incredibly talented student-athlete at the time? Of course not. So the "friend" excuse doesn't hold water, in my book.

by bornagainbruin on Jan 26, 2008 2:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs